New RAM in Town Seeks LTR with AM2

[One4yu2c]

AMD and Intel continue to duke it out with price slashes across the board, making this a great time to build that dream rig you've been waiting for. And if processor pricing weren't tantalizing enough, DDR2 kits have plummeted all the way into bargain bin territory, making it possible to pick up 2GB in DDR2-800 flavor for under a single C-note. But if you haven't waded through the memory section of your favorite online vendor in awhile, be prepared to be deluded with a hodgepodge of marketing buzzwords (SLI Ready EPP RAM, Crossfire Certified RAM, Vista Special...).

The most recent advertorial jargon belongs to OCZ, an enthusiast oriented company that's no stranger to creative advertising. Their latest press release touts a new breed of RAM specifically designed for AMD owners riding the socket AM2 wave. - Paul "One4yu2c" Lilly

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[WhiteEagle]

Interesting read to say the least.

[Panda Man]

Interesting to say the least. I agree with the article, its a start, but I don't think this will help AM2. Now AM3 on the other hand... Well anyways, good write-up Paul.

[Computer-Ed]

This seems to be another marketting hype item with little to no real benefit. I am curious how does the price compare to same spec RAM without this added feature?

[One4yu2c]

Originally Posted by Computer-Ed

This seems to be another marketting hype item with little to no real benefit. I am curious how does the price compare to same spec RAM without this added feature?

It's tough to get a direct picture of what premium the AM2 marketing tacks on, as they don't offer a non-AM2 Titanium kit in 4GB form. I also don't see that kit on Newegg, but here's how their offerings break down on ZipZoomFly:

OCZ AM2 Special 4GB DDR2-667 (5-5-5-15) - $235 shipped
OCZ Vista Special 4GB DDR2-800 (5-6-6-15) - $220 shipped
OCZ Vista Performance 4GB DDR2-800 (5-5-5-18) - $265 shipped

You can perform your own analysis of the pricing scheme, but basically:

- AM2 pricing falls in middle of pack of OCZ's 4GB kits
- AM2 kit runs tighter timings than other OCZ 4GB kits
- AM2 kit runs lower frequency than other OCZ 4GB kits
- AM2 kit is Titanium, meaning they're hand tested and qualify for advance RMA replacement (PowerSwap) if a problem occurs

[Computer-Ed]

Never used OCZ so I am not sure thier RMA handling, do you not have an option for cross shipping with them on anything else?

If the cross ship works for everything else I would get the Vista special for $220. The loose timines will have a minimal impact but the faster bus speed will make it quicker than the AM2 stuff.

In then end however I bet this proves to be marketting and nothing more.

[Hitman]

Originally Posted by Computer-Ed

If the cross ship works for everything else I would get the Vista special for $220. The loose timines will have a minimal impact but the faster bus speed will make it quicker than the AM2 stuff.

If an electric train was going North at 50kmph and the Wind was blowing South at 60kmph, which way would the smoke go?

[gvblake22]

HAHA, creative marketing indeed! I think all these "certifications" and whatnot are actually more confusing for the end user who isn't well informed about what all this geeky techno-jargon really means...

"Can I use an SLI certified memory kit with an ATI video card?"
"I don't have an SLI motherboard, can I still use SLI certified memory?"
"Is my AM2 Sempron processor compatable with the new OCZ AM2 certified memory?"

Originally Posted by Hitman

If an electric train was going North at 50kmph and the Wind was blowing South at 60kmph, which way would the smoke go?

Purple, because ice cream melts.

[Hitman]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

Purple, because ice cream melts.

LMFAO, dude I am in tears.

[One4yu2c]

Originally Posted by Computer-Ed

Never used OCZ so I am not sure thier RMA handling, do you not have an option for cross shipping with them on anything else?

I haven't cross-shipped with them in the past, but my best *guess* is that on non-Titanium kits, it might be an option if they put a hold on your credit card (to ensure you follow through on your end). That's how most companies work their cross-shipment RMA policies.

The Titanium line is geared mainly towards IT professionals, where minimal downtime is crucial. The sticks are hand-tested, so the chances of receiving a defective kit from the get-go is minimalized, and there's no hold placed on the cross-shipped RMA.

For anyone not running a mission critical server, I've recommended against the Titanium line. I bring it up in this thread only in helping readers determine what, if any, premium is being placed on the AM2 tweaks (a kit I would also recommend against, as insinuate in the blog).